Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Teething is officially the worst! I have been thrown up on, changed brutally poopy diapers, watched my teeny baby get a million shots, but this is the WORST!! The only thing I can say is those women who have multiple children and they all go through this at once...is there a fund set up in your name somewhere that I can donate to for you to hire a babysitter and go get a mani/pedi or SOMETHING!??

Is it horrible that I am so selfishly thinking of my long last 3 days instead of feeling for my little guy who is actually experiencing the pain? I mean, I do feel for him, but all I can do is Tylenol, Oragel, and cold teething rings, etc. Nothing seems to work. I just wish he could understand that SCREAMING and DEMANDING to be held doesn't help, it only makes Mommy crazy!! He keeps slapping himself in the face because his teeth hurt so much. He is getting more than one in at once...sigh. It is a 2, maybe even 3 Dr. Peppers day!

Monday, July 28, 2008

Jackson has been teething - nothing new, but now he has begun testing out his teeth on cloth, toys, and PEOPLE! He sneaks up like he just wants to snuggle with me or Ben, and just when we think he is so sweet and cuddly, we feel a "biting" pain in our leg, thigh, chest, or foot!

Normally, I would just tell him "no, no" and maybe pop his mouth a little, but I hate to do that because I know he is just trying out his teeth and isn't doing it to hurt me! I need this problem to stop ASAP though because I will be caring for other children in less than a week! I don't want them going home with little 3-teeth bite marks on thier arms! That is bad for business! ;)

I have been advised to bite him back hard, but it seems so cruel, what do you think I should do?

Monday, July 21, 2008

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! If we're only blogging friends, write about a post that is most memorable.2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you... either on your blog, in my comment box, or I will email you back!3. If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all!And please do this on your page too, so we can all share in the fun times together. :)

Saturday, July 19, 2008

We just got back Friday from our 3-day hunting and camping trip to our family's cabin in "Woody Woods." (Inherited from Great Uncle Woody.) We had so much fun! I have always loved being outdoors. I love camping, hiking, boating, pretty much anything that gets me outside and in the fresh air. You can't beat Woody Woods because it is in East Texas near the town of Crockett and it is part of the Davy Crockett National Forest. The best part is that our cabin (that Ben and my uncle Dwight built) is air conditioned! We bring a generator out and have a window unit. This is absolutely necessary if you plan to camp out in mid-July in TEXAS!! Even with the window unit, the cabin reached almost 80 degrees during the heat of the day.

Ben always says he feels recharged after a trip to the Woods and I'm inclined to agree. When he was hunting in the evening and I had already put Jackson down for the night in the cabin, I'd sit out on the deck and enjoy the cool night air and listen to the night sounds of the woods, so peaceful! You can't really see the stars through the huge forest of pine trees, but when it gets completely dark, I could see the golden yellow ball of the almost full moon. The smell of the pine trees is intoxicating and there is no more relaxing sound than the breeze rustling through the trees.

I will be grateful when Ben and Dwight finish the bathroom of our cabin though. I just don't think a person can be more vulnerable than in the squatting position at the unfortunate pitch-black hour of 3 am, bare bum exposed for some animal or insect to attack, frantically trying to get the task completed before peeing on your feet. Thank goodness for baby wipes. Whoever invented them is a genius for many reasons, in my opinion! I guess I'll learn my lesson next time and not wear flip flops! I am always prepared for the fashion police to come and arrest me for not matching. It is one of my compulsions, I am afraid. ;)

Ben shot a pig this trip, so of course he was elated! But that gave me the gloriously disgusting job of helping him skin it, since we made the trip just the two of us (and Jackson). I am proud that Ben is such a great hunter, and I guess if he can provide for our family by shooting an animal, the least I can do is learn how to prepare it. We got two backstraps and 4 hams off that pig. We came home and Ben immediately cut one of the backstraps up into pork chops. We breaded them and had them last night with mashed potatoes and corn. What a yummy meal! Tomorrow we will have the traditional pig barbeque out at Sara and Dwight's with one of the hams. A fun family gathering and congratulatory celebration for the shooter (Plus a chance for the shooter to tell his pig shooting story for a large captive audience.), which is sometimes Dwight, sometimes Ben!

Jackson and I had a lot of quality one-on-one time while Daddy was out hunting, which resulted in Jackson learning a new trick: clapping. Jack thinks it is a fun game to drop his bites on the floor and watch Lady eagerly gobble them up. My discouraging no-no's and frowns are not working, so we tried a new approach. Every time Jackson puts a bite in his mouth, I clap and say "Yeah!" The cutest thing is that now EVERY time Jack eats a bite, he claps and says his version of "Yeah!" and he fusses at me if I don't join him. He seems to be saying, "Mom, what is the deal? You made up this game! You are supposed to be excited here!"

Jackson has also started playing along when we practice animal sounds now. I will ask him what sound an animal makes, and then make the sound myself, then he will try to repeat the sound I made. My favorite is the duck "quack." He can't quite figure out how I make the "kw" sound, so he says, "Pap, pap, pap." Also, the monkey's "ooo-ooo-ooo" sound is very similar to the sound Forrest Gump hears when his mother is upstairs with the school master.

Cute little Jack story: As you now, Ben always doubts the obvious gifts our son has, and has not believed my story about Jackson touching my nose when I ask him "Where's mommy's nose?" As usual, Jackson will display his talent for me and very few other people, so Ben hadn't seen it with his own two eyes and kept proclaiming it a coincidence. However, on our camping trip, I was holding Jack and Ben was standing in front of us, and Ben asked Jackson, "Where's Daddy's nose?" Jackson looked very carefully at him, then turned to me, and slowly stretched out his little pointer finger and touched MOMMY'S nose! We laughed and laughed!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Do you ever have days where you just feel...inadequate? This blog is going to be for me. Sometimes I use this blog as more of a forum to get my thoughts out. I have always loved to write. So if you don't want to hear my personal thoughts, then move on.

I am socially handicapped.

I can write a great story, sing a beautiful song to myself at top level in my car alone, and I can be the most captivating educator, jumping on tables to get my students' attention, but when it comes to meeting and making conversation with adult people, I am absolutely retarded.

People who've actually gotten past that awkwardness of my reclusive barrier and become friends with me have told me stories about what their first impressions were of me, and it makes me angry with myself. One friend recounted when she first met me and we were on a lunch break at a new teacher orientation, I sang "Redneck Woman" in the car loudly. I recall that occasion. I had been determined to "not care what people thought of me" and "be myself." What a dork. She must have thought I had a screw loose! Some other people in our last ward that Ben home taught told him that they thought I was snobby (yes, they actually said that to my husband!) because I never spoke to anyone at church. Little did they know it is because I am petrified of interacting with people I don't know well.

Sidenote - how did I marry such an outgoing guy, when I am so shy?? How did he even notice me!? Why did he continue dating me? I was not only shy then, but getting over a brutal divorce. I was such a mess!

This is why I was such a dork in high school. I always sit there hero-worshipping other people for their admirable qualities, and I am so afraid that I won't measure up, that I don't speak! Every time I start a new job or move, I have to go through it all over again. I WANT to get to know people, and have friends, but I can't make myself get up off my butt and get out of my comfort zone and TALK to them or GO to the activities. Or if I do, I spend the whole rest of the day feeling like an idiot because of one little thing I said that might not have been quite right or wondering over and over how I came across to that person.

I am the only crazy person who does this? Why can I not be secure in myself enough to just be ME when I am around other people and TALK and LAUGH and let people get to know me!!?? AAAAHHHH!

Thank you to all of my friends. Thanks for being patient with my strange silence, and not thinking I was a snob (maybe you did at first). Thanks for taking the time to get to know me. I'm sorry it was probably a hard task. I hope you are enjoying our friendship. I know I am! I have some of the best friends. You listen, we laugh, we have so much in common. I miss you all every day and when I am struggling to make new friends in this new place I'm living now, I think of you and miss your companionship all the time!

Moral of this story: I'm a loser. You guys are awesome. I wish I could more lke you all!

Friday, July 11, 2008

We have video of Jackson standing for a long length of time after Ben stood him up and moved away from him. Then he took about 5-6 steps into Ben's arms. Yeah! My little man will be standing up on his own and walking around unassisted very soon! He is only 10.5 months! I am so glad he will be walking before the preschool group starts. Now maybe he won't get run over and beat up so much by the big kids!

As soon as I figure out all the technology necessary to post videos, I'll post it. But for now, I'm just too busy doing tours and taking phone calls about the preschool to mess with it!

Also, today when we were at the gym, he was trying to stand up using the train table in the child care room. He slipped, and got a nasty deep cut that is going to bruise up horribly, I'm afraid. Poor guy! I have a feeling this injury is going to be one of many for my little mobile man!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

When I was a teacher in public schools, I thought nothing could ever top the elation I felt when I witnessed 23 of my students be successful on a state standardized test with a year's worth of information, skills and strategies they learned from ME!

I was wrong.

Jackson and I have been working on the parts of the face, specifically eyes, nose, mouth and cheeks. I have been teaching them to him using my own face, then after bathtime when we have our "mirror time," I show them to him on his own face. Yesterday I asked "Where's Mama's nose?" and without hesitation he reached his chubby little fist forward and grabbed my nose!

I know what you're thinking...coincidence right? He was just reaching out wildly, but NO!! I excitedly repeated the question FIVE times, and five times he either grabbed my nose with his whole hand or used his pointer finger (which he likes to use when we read books) and pointed slowly and purposefully to my nose! Then I tried mouth, he did the mouth 3 times! Another facet to this truly amazing talent is that he also understands that I am asking him a question and expecting him to perform!

Do I have the most amazing, genius child ever or what?!?!

I was so giddy, I have been dancing around the house since yesterday!

Gotta go, I need to go work with my little sponge and see what else I can teach him before this weekend when we'll be with family and he can show off how SMART he is! ;)

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Whats his name? Ben or Benjamin! if he's done/said something outrageous (which is often)How long have you been together? married for 4.25 yearsHow long did you date? a year and 3 monthsHow old is he? 27Who eats more? he does, but occasionally I can competeWho said I love you first? I'm pretty sure I did.Who is taller? Ben is. He's 6' and I am 5'6"Who sings better? Me, he can only sing hymns that he knows really well.Who is smarter? We are both smart in very different ways. We both have photographic memories, but he retains way more details than I do, and has better study skills. He also has a greater work ethic when it comes to pushing himself to learn than I do. I'm an English person, he's a Math and Science person. I definitely have more life experience, which is just a nice way to say I made a lot of mistakes and had to learn the hard way...Ok, ok, he is smarter, but don't tell him I said that!Who does he laundry? I doWho pays the bills? He did until he started med school, then I took over.Who sleeps on the right side? looking at the bed from the foot of the bed, he does.Who mows the lawn? He does, but I am going to learn how now that my asthma isn't an issue anymore. He's too busy for it.Who cooks dinner? I cook most every night. He can make a few things, but usually I cook. He would if I asked him to, though, but I love to cook. I take pride in being a good cook, and that most of the time, what I can make at home is better than what we could eat out at a nice restaurant, and healthier!Who drives? Him usually. When we take long trips, I drive so he can study. He has to take dramamine though because he gets motion sickness horribly.Who is more stubborn? hard to say...I used to be, before we got married, and I am still a stickler about some things, but I have relaxed a lot over the years, so he is probably more stubborn now.Who kissed who first? Now that is a funny story. He had this rule about not kissing a girl until he was sure she was the one he was going to marry. I took that as a personal challenge! On our third date I got impatient, and I pretty much attacked him. He kissed me back, and I went in the house bragging to my family that I got him to break his rule (they knew all about my evil plans to corrupt him, it was kind oif a household bet...hehe). What I didn't know is that he came in behind me! He had forgotten a movie my dad had asked him to take back to Blockbuster for us on his way home! He didn't say anything, just took the movie and left. Later I called him and he wasn't mad at all. He forgave me, and continued with the kissing, thankfully! Who knows, maybe BECAUSE he kissed me, I became the woman he married, I mean, he is a pretty good kisser!Who proposed? He did. One night after a re-enactment date of our first date, I was sitting on a bench by this beautiful tree in my parents' front yard. He said, "My Sunday School teacher told me once that if I behaved in SS, my wife would be beautiful, but he lied, because I was rotten!" lol, I thought it was cute. Also, the ring was huge (by my standards) and came in a box that lit it up when you opened it! So cool!Who has more friends? Probably me, I have time to make friends and keep up with the relationships. Plus, I tend to keep in touch with old friends, too, and he doesn't have time to be friends with anyone except the guys he goes to school with.Who is more sensitive? MeWho has more siblings? He does, 4 to 2Who wears the pants? We both do, but everyone would say he does. I just don't like to put my foot down in front of other people. Ben will tell you, though, that I can be a real you-know-what when I want something or I will just go and do it anyway. However, we make big decisions together after many conversations, weighing pros and cons, and prayer.

About Me

Just Me

Colleen enjoys playing with her kids, doing any kind of crafts, reading a good novel, singing for fun and on stage, taking warm baths at night, playing soccer, working out, and cuddling up on the couch with her honey watching movies and eating super-buttery popcorn!

Doctor Ben

Ben spends his time working, working, working...or studying! When he has a minute of free time he loves to wrestle with Jackson, cuddle up with Sam, tickle-attack Ally, hunt, build something or play any type of sports with his wife.

Jackson Garit, age 5

Jackson is my sweet, considerate, intelligent, curious, and slightly hyperactive child. He will walk up and talk to anyone and can't sit quietly while I read him a story without asking me a million questions and commenting all the way through. I love his zest for life and eagerness to please. He is a great example for his little brother.

Samson Jay, 3.5 years

Samson lets nothing hold him back. It's as if he is on a mission to prove that he should have been the first child. He is stubborn, but silly, persistent, but sweet. He is my little snuggle-bear!

Allyson Anne, age 12 mos

Ally is such an easy baby. She is just pretty easy-going most of the time. She loves tickling games or playing hide-and-seek. She just started walking, but usually only takes up to 6 or 7 steps at a time before deciding that crawling is faster. She is VERY curious.